Minnesota winter fun at Ice Fest 2013
Many people across the country assume that Minnesotans hibernate with bears during the winter months, but nothing is further from the truth! Instead, the crisp winter air tends to ignite a whole different set of fun winter activities here in the “great white north.” Festivals, fishing contests, snowmobile rides, ski races, parades, skating rinks, sleigh rides, hill sledding races, and snowman building contests; in other words, hundreds of innovative entertainment fill the winter days and hours. Participating in these winter activities at festivals, like Ice Fest, is a great way to experience a true Minnesota winter vacation.
The annual Ice Fest event is a great opportunity to play on the snow and ice during your next winter vacation. Ice Fest is organized by the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. It is held in Breezy Point, Minnesota every January at Pelican Lake. The surrounding communities of Pequot Lakes, Pine River, Nisswa, Crosslake and more participate in the weekend activities.
Guests to the area are welcome and encouraged to participate in these winter activities to experience winter the Minnesota way. If you’re in the area for a weekend getaway or longer vacation, be sure to put Ice Fest on your agenda. You’ll be able to tell you really experienced a Minnesota winter vacation!
Next year, Ice Fest is scheduled for January 4-5, 2013 and will include fun events to keep everyone in the family entertained. Bonfires and fireworks over the lake will light up the evenings and daytime activities are planned throughout the weekend. The Dockside Lounge, Commander Bar, Prime Time Bar and Billy’s Bar and Grill offer specials and entertainment, all located less than a mile from the activities at Pelican Lake.
Additionally, there will be food and beverage vendors located between the festivities. Planned activities include a pancake breakfast, a children’s fishing program, dog sledding, and a craft and vendor fair at the lakeside hall at Marina II.
The hugely popular snowmobile time trials are open to all who register and participants can race the quarter-mile track on the ice as many times as they like. Crowds line the track to cheer on their favorites and meet new friends.
Kite racing, snow golf and an ice slide add to the fun. Some serious competition can be observed as the Power Ice Auger World Championships are held during the weekend events. A 4v4 Adult Pond Hockey Tournament is part of the action, and horse-drawn trolley rides delight the whole family.
Blinkie buttons, available at participating local businesses, are sold as a fundraiser and those who wear them are offered discounts and other special offers throughout Ice Fest.
Ice Fest 2013 is a great opportunity to spend a fun-filled winter vacation right by the lake in Breezy Point, Minnesota. Will you be there when these small towns and villages come together to celebrate all the best Mother Nature has to offer during Minnesota’s winter snow season?